Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya

Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya

“Mani Bhavan in Mumbai will ever remain a precious memory to all those who visited it on many on occasion when Gandhiji used to stay there. I am glad therefore that it is being converted into a Gandhi memorial.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

December 28, 1931, a frustrated Gandhi returned to Mumbai after attending a Round Table Conference with the British in London. Having discussed the discouraging situation with the Congress Working Committee, he decided to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement for Swaraj or self-rule. The time was midnight and it was the last day of year 1931. Early morning of January 4, 1932, Gandhiji was in his tent on the terrace of Mani Bhavan when he was arrested and jailed…

Mani Bhavan has witnessed plenty of history in the making. It was the place from where Gandhiji launched Satyagraha (the policy of non-violent resistance) against the Rowlatt Act in 1919, and the place he undertook a historic fast in 1921 to restore peace in Mumbai after disturbances broke out in wake of the Prince of Wales’ visit. In 1930, it was from Mani Bhavan that he gave a call to the country to observe January 26 as Independence Day and to solemnly pledge to win Independence through self-sacrifice and self-suffering.

Mani Bhavan was also the place where Gandhiji learnt spinning and carding from a carder who passed by everyday. On Kasturba’s suggestion, it was here he first took goat’s milk for his deteriorating health… Mani Bhavan was where Gandhiji lived, exchanged news and views with his colleagues, inspired his followers and won over the nation to his cherished ideals of Non-Violence and Truth. In its sparely unadorned rooms, in his everyday belongings preserved here, it seems as if you can invoke the spirit of Gandhiji even today…